Chicago Police & Firefighter Training Academy

The Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy (CPFTA) program provides training for students interested in careers in public safety, law enforcement, criminal justice, and fire science. The 2-year program was developed jointly by the Chicago Public Schools’ Department of Career and Technical Education (CTE), the Chicago Police Department (CPD), the Chicago Fire Department (CFD), and the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC). The program recruits and trains up to 250 public and non-public high school students each year. One of the immediate goals is to provide a pool of qualified applicants for the city’s police and fire academies.

The CPFTA program fulfills the two career education or elective credits that all CPS high school students need in order to graduate. The CPFTA curriculum allows juniors and seniors who are city residents to progress seamlessly from high school directly into any City College of Chicago to complete their Associate’s degree.

In addition to high school and college training, students have the opportunity to participate in a paid summer internship between junior and senior year to promote a better understanding of all aspects of careers in public safety. After completion of the two years in high school and two years at a city college, students will have met the minimum educational requirements to take the Chicago Police and Fire Department examinations for entry into their respective academies.

Program Overview

Program Details

Attend classes two days a week (Tuesday and Wednesday) from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Chicago Police Academy or the Chicago Fire Academy

Possible opportunity for summer internship between junior and senior year

Financial assistance to attend a City College of Chicago to complete an Associate’s Degree.

Transportation assistance to get to and from each academy

Uniforms provided to all cadets

After school snacks provided by Aramark

Instructional materials provided at no additional cost

Cadets can earn OSHA, Cyber Security Safety, Unarmed Security Guard (PERC), and CPR/FA/AED Certification. Cadets can also apply to take the EMT-B state licensure class for State Certification.

Entrance Requirements

To be selected for the CPFTA program, high school sophomores must:

Be a Chicago resident

Be a high school sophomore

Complete an on-line application

Submit the parental consent form

GPA of 2.3 or better upon completing the first two years of high school

90% attendance or better

Two letters of recommendation

State ID or valid driver’s license with a good driving record

Current physical examination (within twelve months)

Pass a drug test (urinalysis)

Complete a background check, which includes a fingerprinting and no felony arrests and convictions and no gang affiliations

Program interview

Recruitment events are held at high schools, City Colleges of Chicago, and the police and fire academy during the months of February, March, and April. Interested sophomores can apply on-line here beginning February of each year.